Burglar breaks into house and then escapes in stolen Mercedes

A Blackburn man has been jailed after admitting breaking into a house and taking the residents’ car.

Jamie Quigley, 20, Peridot Close, Blackburn, admitted breaking into a house on Maple Street, Blackburn around 3am on 21 June and stealing an X- box, a 50 inch TV, a purse, cash and car keys, before making off in the resident’s black Mercedes CLK.

Quigley appeared at Preston Crown Court on Monday 1 October after pleading guilty to burglary and unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle. He was jailed for jailed for one year four months.

He was arrested after an investigation by Eastern Divisions Target Team, during which officers secured forensic and CCTV evidence linking him to the scene.

Sgt Tim McDermott said: “The victims – a retired married couple – were left very frightened by the ordeal and no longer like to be in on their own. They continue to be supported by the police and their family and friends.

“We treat this type of crime very seriously and will always do everything within our power to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”